Get in touch.

Are you already an Instagram pro but want to climb up the popularity table? Check out our tips on how to become Insta-famous by getting more likes on Instagram.

So, you already consider yourself a bit of a pro when it comes to Instagram, you’ve got your favourite filters and update your story daily but that perfect photo of your Sunday brunch didn’t get as many likes as you thought it deserved. So how to get more likes on Instagram, then?

With the change of the Instagram algorithm this year (word on the street is that your post may now only be shown to around 10% of your followers. If it gets enough likes from them straight away, it’ll then be shown to the remaining 90%) and the fact that every day, around 80 million photos are posted and we dole out a huge 3.5 billion likes, it’s trickier than ever to get more likes and followers too!

We’ve swotted up on some of the best ways to get more likes on Instagram, and get yourself some followers too.

Use hashtags

Using hashtags can be one of the best ways to get more likes on Instagram, but use them wisely! Although you can add up to 30 hashtags to a post, it doesn’t mean you should. This can get picked up as spam and your hashtags will become ‘un-discoverable’ (also known as shadow-banning).

The best idea is to use around 5 per post and we’d recommend using hashtags that relate specifically to your post.

Throwing in popular hashtags like #love, #tbt (throwback Thursday) and #photooftheday is also a good way to get your posts to appear in searches, giving you a better chance to get more likes on Instagram and snag some new followers too.

The whole idea behind hashtags is to make your posts easier to find, so steer clear of long, complicated ones like #howdoyouevenuseinsta and don’t commit the Instagram sin of #hashtagging #every #single #word. No one wants to follow that guy.

Be an active Instagrammer

We don’t just mean posting regularly. Following, liking and commenting on other users’ posts is a great way to get your profile out there and will encourage people to visit it and to like your posts. A good way of getting more followers is to follow people that use popular hashtags like #followme and #likeforlike.

Tagging or mentioning people in your posts or captions can also help with how to get more likes on Instagram. If you do this, the person will get a notification, and your post will become part of their profile.

This can help to increase likes and followers, but don’t overdo it as it can look spammy and may even have the opposite effect.

How to tag someone on Instagram

Before you post, tap the option to ‘Tag People’, this will take you to a new screen where you can tap anywhere on your post to place a tag (this lets you pick a specific area, like a person, place or thing). When you tap, a ‘who’s this’ tag will appear. Just start typing the person’s name or username and select it from the list that automatically appears. How to get more likes on Instagram: smashed it!

If you place your tag in the wrong place, you can move it by dragging and dropping it.

You can also delete a tag by tapping the one you want to get rid of and tapping the ‘X’ that appears.

The best time to post on Instagram

Believe it or not, the time that you post on Instagram can affect the amount of likes it gets. A recent study found that the best times to post here in the UK are 2am and 5pm. 2am seems like a weird time, right? But this may be one of the best times as not many people are online then so, your posts won’t get caught up in Instagram rush hour.

If you’re not a night owl and don’t fancy waiting up ‘til 2am to post, there are apps like Prime for Instagram (iOS) and Preview – Plan your Instagram (Android) that you can use to schedule your posts, making it easier on how to get more likes on Instagram. You can also use them to find out your best time to post, based on your followers and likes.

Add a location to your Instagram post

Also known as ‘geo-tagging’, adding a location to your post works in the same way as checking in on Facebook. Doing this means that other people that post in the area will be able to see your photo on the location’s page. So you’re going to get more likes on Instagram!

You can do this by tapping ‘add location’ before sharing your post and selecting one from the list that appears automatically, or you can use the search bar.

Use Instagram stories and go live

With the new algorithm, actively using Instagram stories and going live can improve your chances of appearing on the hallowed Instagram Explore page – a must for anyone trying to become Insta-famous or for anyone trying to get more likes on Instagram.

But, how do you go live on Instagram?

It’s easy. Just tap in the top left of the screen or swipe right from anywhere in your Feed. Tap ‘Live’ at the bottom of the screen, then tap ‘Start Live Video’. You can also invite a friend to join your live video – just tap the face icon and tap on the person’s name to invite them to join your live video. (Just remember you can only invite someone who is already viewing your live video).

If they accept your invitation, you’ll see them appear in a split-screen view. You’ll also be able to see if they declined your invite.

You can remove the person you invited to join your live video at any time by tapping ‘x’ at the top right corner of their split-screen.

Use the perfect filter

Everyone loves a filter and choosing the right one can be the most difficult decision when posting on Instagram, but did you know that using certain filters can not only make your photo look better but can also increase the amount of likes it gets too?

It’s been found that Gingham attracts more likes and comments than any other filters, with Clarendon coming in second place. Using different filters for specific types of photo can help too. For example, if you love taking photos of the great outdoors, Valencia is your best bet. If photos of your breakfast are more your thing, then give Skyline a go, and if you can’t resist a selfie then #nofilter is the best way to get likes – that’s right, au natural is the way forward for how to get more likes on Instagram! Remember to make sure you’ve got a decent camera phone to take those #nofilter pics too!

Keep an eye on your followers

If you want to attract more likes on Instagram, and followers too, a public page is the best way forward, meaning users can follow you without your permission, but there will always be people that you’d rather didn’t follow you, like that ex you don’t speak to any more, a nosey aunt or just someone you get a bad vibe from. Get them blocked.

So, how do you block someone on Instagram?

This does what it says on the tin, and stops them from being able to view your posts. They won’t be able to send you direct messages either.

And if it’s someone you know, then there’s no need to worry about any awkward conversations, people aren’t notified when you block them.

If you change your mind and decide that your aunt isn’t that bad after all, you can unblock her. To unblock someone, just go to their profile, tap the icon in the top right corner and tap unblock.

These tips and tricks are sure to help you get more likes and followers on Instagram, so get your angle ready, pick your filter, and get snappin’. That’s how to get more likes on Instagram!